Hanoi (VNA) – Around 81.76 million people have joined healthinsurance as of the end of August, or 87.25 percent of the population,according to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS).

At a press briefing in late August, the national insurance agency also reportedthat an estimated 13.97 million people have participated in compulsory socialinsurance, while 241,000 participated in voluntary social insurance.

Unemployment insurance has covered 11.93 million people.

In the first eight months of the year, the insurance sector has paid outsick and maternity benefits for more than 6.36 million people, and lump-sumsocial insurance payment to over 539,500 people.

A total of 116 million patients received health checks and medicaltreatment paid for by health insurance in the review period, while over 487,300received unemployment benefits including expense for vocational training.

The VSS said it will continue to expand voluntary social insurancecoverage and improve control of health insurance payment through applyingelectronic review of health care activities covered by insurance at all medicalestablishments.

The agency will intensify inspections of the payment of social insurancepremiums and promptly deal with violations of regulations on social insurance,health insurance and unemployment insurance.

The VSS also informed the press about preparations for the 35th ASEAN Social Security Association Board Meeting, which is to be hosted by theVSS in Nha Trang city in September.-VNA